Six Months to Become a Teacher

[10.03.09]

People could qualify as teachers in England in six months rather than a year under new government plans. Schools Minister Jim Knight said that the new proposals are aimed at attracted more ‘outstanding’ people into teaching: “By cutting the initial teacher training course to six months for the most able candidates, we will make teaching a more attractive choice for experienced people who want to get into the classroom quickly but need high quality initial teacher training.”

The exact plans have not yet been formalised and unions will be consulted in the process. However, the scheme will be particularly aimed at people coming from professional backgrounds. Many people have criticised this move as a gimmick. Mary Bousted, Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: “It sounds like an employment scheme for unemployed bankers… this looks very much like back-of-the-fag-packet stuff.”

Other unions have expressed anger at the proposals arguing that six months is simply not long enough train someone how to teach or to help the student decide whether teaching is the right profession for the them.

For more information see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7933690.stm

James Robson 10/03/09